Matt-Man's Going to Summer Camp!!

Matt-Man works harder than any other 6 year old I know.  In fact he's been forced to work hard since starting therapy full-time as a 3 year old.  He has to.  Simple tasks of daily living and communication are not simple to him.  He has had to invest many hours to learn each task of life slowly and as a whole series of smaller tasks.  Matt-Man doesn't get summers off.  He spends his summers in therapy or summer school, working hard all day.  Well, this year will finally be different.  For the first time ever, Matt is going to summer camp!

The Special Recreation Association in our area provides a summer day camp that is specifically designed with autistic children in mind.  The days are carefully structured and aides are available to help the campers out.  He will spend his days enjoying music, art, games, socializing, and swimming and his evenings at home with us.

We are so thankful for this opportunity.  We are considered non-residents of the districts served by this camp and had to remain on the waiting list until all residents had registered, praying that there would be a spot left for Matt-Man.  We were ecstatic to get the call that he was in.

Please pray that this is a good summer of fun and growth for him.  Matt-man has very few friends.  Not because he doesn't like other kids but because he doesn't know how to interact with them appropriately.  I've often watched him try to initiate contact with other kids his age only to get funny looks and be ignored.  I would love to see him develop friendships and better social skills this summer!

Matt-Man with his baby brother.  He is becoming a good playmate!